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The Equinox #1.01
The Equinox: Keep Silence Edition, Vol. 1, No. 1
Serving as the official text of the A/ A/, the Equinox Volume 1 has proven an elusive addition to the occultist's library. With only a few printings available in over one hundred years, copies of this text fetch upward of $2,000 per book. Now, this text is now available at an affordable price. Unedited, and unabridged, this printing contains all the original text and images (B&W) released in the original 1909 printing by Crowley himself. Only now, it is in paperback, and within reach of ownership. (Hardcover available Spring 2014). The editor and publisher have made no attempt to add to this work in any manner. There is no need for improvement, as these works stand as classics in occult literature even today. The Equinox (subtitle: "The Review of Scientific Illuminism") is a series of publications in book form that serves as the official organ of the A/ A/, a magical order founded by Aleister Crowley (although material is often of import to its sister organization, Ordo Templi Orientis). Begun in 1909, it mainly features articles about occultism and magick, while several issues also contain poetry, fiction, plays, artwork, and biographies. Volume 1, Number 1 Sections/Chapters: Editorial An Account of A/ A/ Liber Librae [The Book of the Balance] Liber Exercitiorum The Wizard Way. By Aleister Crowley The Magic Glasses. By Frank Harris The Chymical Jousting of Brother Perardua The Lonely Bride. By Victor B. Neuburg At the Fork of the Roads The Magician The Soldier and the Hunchback: ! And ? By Aleister Crowley The Hermit The Temple of Solomon the King (Book I) The Herb Dangerous (Part I): A Pharmaceutical Study. By E. Whineray, M.P.S.
424 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2014
78 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Aleister Crowley
863 books1,870 followersAleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 11, 2021
The Temple of Solomon The King, John St. John, Liber Librae, Liber E, and The Soldier and The Hunchback are the standouts from this number for me. The treatise on Cannabis is interesting as a historical document, but very outdated regarding scientific information as should be obvious. Highly recommend reading the No's 1 -10. These are excellent works and contain crucial information for the aspiring and seasoned mystic, philosopher, and magician alike.
May 15, 2023
Closest to an example sufficient of calling 'The' mystic text I've been waiting for, together perhaps with The Book of The Law for however I remain hesitant. Energetically written with much precision in thought, and the last section John St. John is particularly noteworthy being as subtitled 'The Record of the Magical Retirement of G.H. Frater O.M.'; I have already downloaded all further of the first volume, if not for immediately.
March 27, 2021
Collection of short stories and mystical musings originally published as first issue of uncle Al's "Equinox" magazine. Nice enough new edition but rather for the die hard cultist and the academic to appreciate. Found the magical journal in the back as example of living practice and image of the society then most interesting.
July 17, 2024
I've studied the sh!t out of Gems from The Equinox throughout the years but never really read those articles in their original 10-volume form. This is a mix bag but very interesting from a historical perspective, and ends with the unabridged 139 pg version of John St. John, making it worth the price and read.
September 7, 2020
A great book for a narrow audience.
The John St. John supplement is a must for magicians.
The John St. John supplement is a must for magicians.
May 30, 2022
A book with as much give as take. I'm glad I took the time to review it.
June 13, 2023
Read for the AA course but a lot of the shorter stories and poems didn’t really grab my attention.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews